Screw-driver



Patented Jan. 3, I899. F. RAINWATER. SCREWv DRIVER.

(No Model.)

IN VE N T08 4 Tron/15b" TA'IES llnirnn FOUNTAIN RAINIVATER, OF \VATERLOO, KENTUCKY.

SCREW/DRIVER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 617,046, dated January 3, 1899. Application filed March 12, 1898. Serial No. 673,648. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FOUNTAIN RAINWATER, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vaterloo, in the county of Pulaski and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Screw-Drivers, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to ratchet screwnated by the same letters of reference in each of the views, and in which- Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the improved ratchet screw-driver in its operative position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper end of the handle portion. Fig. 3 is a View of the inner side of the handle. Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of the upper portion of the bit. Fig. 5 is an end view thereof, and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a detail.

In the drawings, A represents the handle portion of the improved ratchet screwdriver, which is preferably constructed of metal and is suitably shaped to adapt it comfortably to the hand, as is usual in such devices.

The handle A is preferably open at its central portion,formin g, in effect, side bars,which areconnected at the top and bottom by bands a a. The lower band a is provided with a central tubular bore a within which is loosely housed the bit or shaft B. The upper band a is provided centrally upon its under side with a transverse groove a which terminates at each end in a socket a a of greater depth than the said groove a Upon the under side of the upper band a are arranged two beveled lugs or projections of a one, a, of which is located adjacent to the socket a and the other, a adjacent to the socket a. These lugs a a are beveled in opposite directions to each other, so as to present a sharp edge facing the front and the back face of the handle, forming ratchet-teeth facing in opposite directions, as shown in Fig. 3.

The bit or shaft B is loosely sleeved in the tubular bore a and is provided upon its side with a lug b, which bears upon the upper side of the lower band a and prevents the shank B from slipping through the tubular bore o The upper end of the shaft or bit B is provided with an annular flange Z7, and above this flange is an upwardly-projecting pin b which is adapted to engage the groove a and is of sufficient length to be seated in either one of the sockets a a. The upper face of the flange b is provided with radial lugs 19 which are adapted to be engaged by the ratchet-teeth a and a". The lower end of the bit or shaft B is beveled to an edge to permit of its entrance into the slot of a screw-head.

It will be understood that any desired form of screw-grasping device may be applied to the lower end of the shaft 13, the form shown being chosen because of simplicity.

In operating the ratchet screw-driver above described the shaft B is forced upwardly until the pin is seated in one of the sockets a a YVhen in this position, upon turning the handle A in one direction the lugs b will be engaged by the ratchet-tooth a or a and the shaft 13 rotated. \Vhen the handle is turned in the reverse direction while the shaft remains in the same socket, the ratchet-tooth will present only its beveled side to the lug a or a and slip by without rotating the shaft. The operation is the same when the shaft engages the other socket, except that the rotation of the shaft is the reverse of that just described. From this description it will be evident that a screw may be quickly and easily seated or withdrawn without the necessity of removing the shaft therefrom or of releasing the hold upon the handle. It is evident that the end of the bit might be provided with a wrench-socket and used as a nut-wrench.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A ratchet=tool, comprising a handle having a tubular bore at its lower end, said han die being also provided with a longitudinal central opening, the end wall of which opposite the tubular bore is provided with a transverse groove at each end of which is a socket, said end wall being also provided at the 0pposite end of said transverse groove with ratchet-teeth which project in opposite directions, and a shaft which passes through said tubular bore in one end of said handle and which is provided at the end thereof within the handle with a disk having radial teeth on its outer side which are adapted to engage said ratchet-teeth and which is provided with a pin adapted to enter said sockets, substantially as shown and described.

2. A ratchet-tool, comprising a handle provided upon the upper end thereof with sockets arranged on each side of the center and connected by a groove, a ratchet-tooth arranged adjacent to each socket, the engaging faces of said ratchet-teeth being oppositely directed, the said handle having also a tubular bore in its lower end, a shaft loosely sleeved in said bore and having a pin at its upper end adapted to engage one of said sockets, an annular flange at the base of said pin and provided upon its upper face with lugs adapted to engage said ratchet-teeth, substantially as described,

3. A ratchet-tool comprising a hollow handle constructed of two side bars and an upper and lower band, the said upper band being provided upon its under face with two sockets and a groove connecting said sockets, a ratchet tooth arranged adjacent to each socket, the engaging faces of said ratchetteeth being oppositely directed, the said lower band being provided with a vertical opening, a shaft loosely sleeved in said opening and having a pin at its upper end adapted to engage either of the sockets in the upper band, a flange arranged at the base of said pin and provided upon its upper face with lugs adapted to be engaged by the ratchet-teeth, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of the subscribing witnesses.

V FOUNTAIN RAINWATER.

Vitnesses:

LINCOLN WEDDLE, THOMAS REDMAN. 

